What’s Wrong With CO’s Economy? Plus, ‘Brain Rot’ and a Flavored Tobacco Clapback
New data from CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business shows that Colorado’s economy — once a national leader — took a big turn this year, with our GDP growth ranking 41st in the country. Maybe that’s why Governor Jared Polis was so eager to take a literal table saw to a pile of regulations last week? Stand-up comic Joshua Emerson joins producer Paul Karolyi to dig into the data. Plus, we want your help picking Denver’s Word of the Year! And we respond to a listener’s fiery hot take on Denver’s proposed flavored tobacco ban.
Paul also mentioned this report saying Colorado is the 6th most regulated state in the country and Vivek Ramaswamy’s response to Gov. Polis’s latest stunt.
What do you think should be Denver’s Word of the Year? Paul put out the call on the Denver subreddit, but we think you can do better! Text us or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418
City Cast Denver is hiring! We’re looking for a temporary newsletter editor to join our team starting in March. So if you’re a great writer who loves Denver (or know someone who might fit the bill), here’s the link to apply: https://apply.workable.com/city-cast/j/FF0BF9E3A1/
Go see Joshua’s fantastic new documentary! For the latest info on planned screenings at Mutiny Information Cafe and the Buntport Theater, follow him on Instagram. He’s also crowdfunding for support finishing the movie and getting more people to see it. You can pitch in here.
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.
Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm
Learn more about the sponsors of this December 17th episode:
- Meow Wolf - Use code 4PACK at checkout when you purchase your tickets online.
- PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery
- Denver Health
- University of Denver
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Denver
Another Denver school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no...

A Cheesy New Ethics Complaint at DIA, CoCo Vote Veers Off Course, and Denver's Best PSL
It might not feel like it, but we are, actually, in the fall season! Contributor Michelle Jackson joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to ch...

How This Election Could Change All Other Elections. Plus, ‘Love is Blind’: Where Are They Now?
It's election season, and those blue books are beefy this year! We’re going one by one through some of the thorniest ballot measures all...

What Would You Name Dick’s Sporting Goods Park? Plus, Casa Bonita’s Wishing Well and Local Comedy Drama
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park may not be long for this world – well, the name anyway. For the first time in the Colorado Rapids soccer stadi...

Harsher Fentanyl Penalties, Voter ID Requirements, and More of the Conservative Agenda on Colorado Ballots
The conservative nonprofit Advance Colorado brought a whopping eight initiatives to the ballot this year – that’s more than half of the 1...

The DPS Board’s Half-Decade of Drama, Meet Your Soulmate, and Will a Chatbot Replace Denver's 311 Operators?
Denver Public Schools board member DJ Torres resigned last week, his reasoning being “too much of my time and energy have been consumed b...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast Denver
When Denver looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City d...

Privatizing the Trash, Drones Delivering Pasta, and How to PorchFest
Denverites already pay for trash pick-up, but what if that money went to a private company instead of the city? The city’s waste services...

Will Denver Ever Say Yes to the Duplex? Plus, the Ethics Investigation Costing the City $800,000
A proposal to make sweeping changes to the zoning code was sent back to the drawing board by city council – signalling the end of a push...

Your Guide to October 2026 in Denver
Fall is here — and we’re ready for the sweater weather, cozy vibes, and spiced everything! From finding the right craft meetup to enjoyin...


